I'm the Alpha's Crush (18+)|✔️

Chapter 64

 "...everyone just assumed that we had, and my only way out was to let them believe it." Heart hammering in my chest, I finally dared to glance over his way.

Malcolm wasn't looking at me.

My hands gripped my pants in white-knuckled fists, fighting the urge to beg him - beg him to say something, beg him to understand-

-beg him not to hate me.

"...what happened then?" His voice was quiet in the cavernous space between us.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I explained, "Well, obviously Hunter broke up with me. Mom tried to throw me out of the house - Dad wouldn't let her, but, by that point, I already knew I was getting the hell away and going to college, so I only really needed to stay the summer..." I trailed off, remembering the vivid handprint she'd left on my cheek, the months of cold silence that had reigned afterward.

"...your mother tried to throw you out?"

I chuckled, feeling anything but humor, "She's always been deeply concerned with her social standing and, well, let's say that my new reputation wasn't a welcome change."

After a pause, he nodded, and shifted the car into reverse, taking us back onto the highway.

Cocooned in the passenger seat, I stared down at my hands, questioning every choice I'd ever made, questioning how I'd ever let myself get into this mess.

Questioning how I'd ever let myself hope that this could work.

Conversation was bare as we returned to the hotel room, showering separately and preparing for the rehearsal dinner.

I laid out one of the dresses I'd bought with River while packing for the Meeting - sleek, black, with an understated elegance that had seemed fun in the dressing room but now felt like funeral garb.

Appropriate.

While Malcolm shaved in the bathroom, I pulled the bodice over my hips, slipping the straps up my arms and reaching behind me to struggle with the zipper.

"Here." I hadn't heard him come out into the bedroom, but then his hands were on my back, finding the pull and carefully dragging it up.

Don't get used to this.

"There's, um - there's also the-"

"I got it. " His fingers found the hook and eye clasp, fastening it closed before smoothing his palm over my spine.

Shivers passed over me, phantom whispers of what could have been.

"Thanks." I managed a faint smile before stepping out of his reach, sitting on the bed to pull on my shoes.

Taking the towel from around his neck, Malcolm wiped off his face. "So, are you ready to go?"

I nodded, "Yeah." Heaving a sigh, I stood, "Yeah, let's get this over with."

Returning to the venue, I found Evie and Cora waiting inside, chatting with their attendants while they waited for the officiant. I returned several polite "Hello's" and ignored Ali's pointed stare.

Malcolm was sitting beside me answering emails on his phone when the far door opened, and my parents walked in.

The fine hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention, and my hands clenched together in my lap.

"Are you okay?" Malcolm whispered.

I stiffened at the sound of her voice, "Fine."

She walked up, all polished manners and expensive perfume, effusively greeting Evie and Cora.